Madely Health Headlines Commentary for February 4, 2010

 

 Stepping stone to understanding the cause of SIDS: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Source:

Chemical imbalance may explain crib death: study

Low Serotonin Eyed as Mechanism for SIDS

Reference:
Brainstem Serotonergic Deficiency in Sudden Infant Death Syndrome

I am not a fan of how newspapers use headlines to misrepresent stories to provke unwarranted fear, and heightened risk perception. Today, the Ottawa Citizen published two stories about seasonal and H1N1 vaccine. The first story, For Guillain-Barre survivors, flu shot stirs up unwelcome memories, emblazoned on the front page has all the elements [...]

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen, August 6, 2005
Original Title: Sounds Like a Good Idea
New ultrasound technologies offer valuable diagnostic tools
The application of new technologies and research has the potential to revolutionize medical diagnostic imaging, diagnosis and treatment.
My last [...]

Four exciting good-news medical stories warrant more exposure. Two of the stories report research into restoring the sight of visually impaired people. The other two stories demonstrate ultrasound technology advances to treat prostate cancer and improve medical diagnostic imaging.

Many diseases can alter the appearance of our fingernails and toenails. Curvature changes, discolourations, lines and pits are clues used to diagnose various conditions.

The thrill of the winter sojourn to warmer climes and ocean activities like scuba diving, surfing and snorkeling, among others, can lead many to overlook other notable health and safety precautions.

Watching someone we love lose their sense of self has become an all-too-common occurrence in Canada and, indeed, in many parts of the world. Even as adults, our childhood image of our parents is firmly imprinted into our minds. The piece-by-piece loss of this image is painful to witness and frightening to the afflicted.

Mad cow disease (bovine spongiform encephalopathy, or BSE) remains in the news, with two more cases reported in cattle this month in Alberta.

All the ingredients for a potential health calamity are present

The tsunami survivors face great health challenges. To date there have not been reports of epidemics of cholera or other infectious diseases. However, the massive aid pouring into the affected regions is designed to address the health risks that have the potential to cause further harm.

According to the Heart and Stroke Foundation of Canada, stroke accounted for 20 per cent of the 79,389 deaths from cardiovascular diseases in 1998. The Canadian statistics are indeed disconcerting, reflecting tremendous suffering and financial burdens to families and society.

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen Friday, November 12, 2004
Original Title: Infection control for dummies

Infection control can be a complicated matter, especially [...]

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen October 18, 2004
Original Title: The HN factor
New information and reports of bird flu have shifted attention to [...]

On Oct. 3, I reviewed why hyperpigmentation (dark skin spots) occurs, as well as some of the common causes and conditions. But it does not end there. Indeed, there are more skin conditions that raise many questions from concerned patients.

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen October 3, 2004
Original title: Out, Out Damn Spot: Part 1

The formation of dark skin spots, or hyperpigmentation, can either be a benign condition or the development of a serious local or systemic [...]

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen September 20, 2004

Young men rarely see their family doctor (if they have one). There [...]

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen September 20, 2004
Original Title: The Testes of Time

Young men rarely see their family doctor (if they have one). There is a tendency to think that nothing can really go wrong in your late teens or 20s.

Yet there is one cancer in men that occurs exactly when men avoid [...]

With the beginning of the school year, cold viruses, potential allergens and other infections are ready to greet our children at the door.

There are numerous causes for abdominal pain and cramps, warranting a thorough evaluation; diagnoses include peptic ulcer disease, acid reflux, colitis and bowel cancer, among others.

Shortness of breath (dyspnea) strikes deep at a person’s self-preservation instincts. The fear of suffocation commonly leads to a feeling of panic. The ability to diagnose and treat the condition depends upon past medical history, the ability to gather a good medical history of the acute condition and prompt evaluation of the patient’s physical findings.

Hippocrates (460?-377 BC) described it in his written observations. Ancient Chinese, Egyptian and Middle Eastern cultures refer to this disease. Outbreaks often coincide with warfare, mass migrations and other societal disruptions. The British blamed “bad air” in the mid 1800’s India for a disease that killed many of their nationals. This mala aria (from the Italian) has killed more soldiers in the 20th century wars than bullets. The World health Organization reported 270 million worldwide cases and one million deaths in 1998.

How many asthmatics think their asthma is under control? If you are like most Canadians, 91 per cent believe so. Indeed, perception is not a mirror of reality.

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen June 11, 2004
Original Title: Stay away from Puss ‘n Boots
We live with a multitude of bacteria and parasites in our environment. Many do not cause disease in healthy individuals.

They have exotic names but they are less than endearing. Intestinal parasites come in all shapes and sizes. Each has its own way of taking advantage of the body’s metabolism and anatomy.

Alopecia or hair loss is a distressing turn of events for women. The scalp is often afflicted but it can occur on any part of the body. Why does this happen? Are there different types of hair loss?

Osteoporosis is defined as a loss of bone calcium more than expected for a person’s age, sex, and race. It is a major health problem that robs people of their independence. The areas predisposed to fracture include the spine, hip and upper arm.

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen February 29, 2004
Originally titled: “Common Skin Infections”
Bacterial skin infections are a common reason why people consult their family doctor. Each infection has its own specific treatment.

Many people are unaware of the proper management of burns. Is there a need to apply creams, antibiotics, salves or natural products to promote healing? What are the first steps to prevent or minimize skin damage in the immediate aftermath of a burn?

Southern vacations beckon during the long winter months. Depending on the destination, there may be certain vaccination and malaria- prevention measures that will reduce the traveller’s risk of debilitating disease. Many, however, wait too long before they visit a doctor for a travel medicine consultation.

From time to time I receive mail from readers asking about various medical conditions. One such letter contained numerous questions about asthma and lung disease that I wish to address in this column.

Richard (not his real name) was a happy one year-old infant. After his first birthday he developed bloating and diarrhea and lost weight. His growth slowed. This condition persisted for months.

Mandy (not her real name) came to the office complaining of nausea and intense abdominal cramping with bloody mucousy diarrhea. She could not sleep or eat because of the severe pain. Investigations led to a diagnosis of Crohn’s disease.

Originally published in The Ottawa Citizen November 11, 2003
Original Title: Plaques are not trophies
October was National Psoriasis Awareness Month. Despite a press release from the Canadian Dermatological Association, the illness did not garner much press coverage.
Psoriasis fall into the [...]

The announcement last week that Letrozole reduced breast cancer recurrence represents another step forward in the battle against breast cancer. When an announcement of a “groundbreaking” study, it is understandable to react with hope that a cherished life will be saved and suffering will end.

Take a regular diameter (pencil eraser) size straw and breathe through it while pinching your nose for five minutes. How many would be able to complete this task before gasping for air? Everyone understands the panic that envelops us when we cannot breathe. This universal response is one of our greatest fears. Despite this, an increasing number of people experience and live with the straw reality and are slowly suffocating to death.

Streptococcus, staphylococcus, E. coli, rhinovirus, Norwalk (gastroenteritis) and Coxsackie virus (Hand, Foot and Mouth disease) among others routinely contaminate our hands through the course of our daily activities. Our old soap standby does not eliminate germs as well as we think it does. Hand washing is a little more complicated than it seems.

Diagnosing prostate cancer is difficult, even with the screening. All of a sudden, everyone wants to know about the PSA test.

The Canadian Museum of Nature has exquisite colourful and exotic-looking crystal, mineral and stone collections. The human body also harbours interesting mineral, stones and crystal deposits.

During the summer months, it is common to see people come in with peculiar linear or blotchy blistered red rashes. Welcome to poison ivy country.

Often, the term milk allergy is used to describe any physical reaction to milk consumption. Many mistake lactose intolerance for milk allergy.

You can prevent heat-related illness with an understanding of how summer heat affects your body.

It’s spring and that means allergies are again exacting their seasonal vengeance.

Many people don’t know it, but pollen allergies can increase the risk of severe allergic reactions to other plants, foods and herbal or naturopathic remedies.

Times like these sharpen our attention to the frailties of life. The SARS outbreak illustrates the public perception of risk.When faced with a death rate of three to four per cent, we all want to be able to protect our family and friends from harm.

As warmer weather approaches, children will be spending more time playing outdoors. So will dogs.

A recent pharmacist’s study presented to the Canadian Society of Allergy and Clinical Immunology indicates 63 per cent do not know how to use an EpiPen and 62.5 per cent cannot recognize the signs and symptoms of a severe allergic reaction (anaphylaxis).

We are in the midst of several disease outbreaks of great concern to all. The lack of definitive information creates fear and anxiety. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) posted alerts about Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/sars/) and information about the upcoming season of West Nile virus infection (http://www.cdc.gov/ncidod/dvbid/westnile/index.htm). Information puts risk in perspective.

Allergies affect millions of people in North America. Although medications help to control asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema, control of our local living environment is essential. Prevention can reduce or eliminate the need for medications.

How have society’s changing attitudes about sexual activity and responsibility affected our teenage children?

The Medical Institute for Sexual Health, a U.S. non-profit group promoting sexual abstinence outside marriage, lists the devastating toll laissez-faire attitudes have had on our teens.

Perception is everything. Not only does it apply to the political arena but to the public’s perception of health risks.

A survey by the American Heart Association done in 2000 asked women what disease they thought was the major threat to their lives. Eight per cent said heart disease compared to 50 per cent citing cancer. The reality is altogether different. Cardiovascular disease kills more women than the next 14 causes of death combined.

Last week’s column reviewed how obstructive sleep apnea is more than just a problem of poor sleep. More than 90 per cent of obstructive sleep apnea sufferers remain undiagnosed and face real health risks.

Aside from the jokes and a partner’s resignation to a lifetime of disrupted sleep, snoring is not an issue that gets much airplay. Snorers, including the “I-don’t-snore” crowd, may have more than just a problem of annoying those within their noise radius.